New Salem's Lot Adaptation Misses the Mark on Stephen King's Vision

Gary Dauberman's film struggles to capture the thematic depth and character complexity of King's novel.

The latest adaptation of Salem's Lot by Gary Dauberman struggles with a rushed runtime and thin character development.
Critics note the film's failure to capture the novel's central themes, focusing instead on jump scares and gothic imagery.
Alexander Ward's portrayal of Mr. Barlow lacks the humanity and depth found in Stephen King's original depiction.
Bill Camp's performance as Matthew Burke stands out, bringing some much-needed depth to the film.
The film includes visually striking scenes, but lacks the narrative substance to make a lasting impact.